Collaborative small satellites

ABSTRACT

The system and method of using at least one constellation of small satellites to provide collaborative, tactical intelligence in a space-based system. The low latency of the system provides for actions to be taken within an adversary&#39;s decision window. The multi-domain system provides for the use of various sensors and payloads to provide real-time, multi-INT information to users, whether commercial or military in nature.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to activity based intelligence and moreparticularly to a real-time, tactical, spaced-based activity basedintelligence system.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The U.S. Government relies on space systems to provide globalintelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), communications,and positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services for theDepartment of Defense (DoD), intelligence communities (IC), and civilianagencies. Current space systems are, in general, not resilient tocontested environments and cannot be quickly replaced due to their highcost and long development timelines. Because the various ISR spacesystems are not integrated together (i.e., they are stove-piped), theyrely on ground-based processing of the data, which adds significantlatency to the information gleaned from the spacecraft such that in manyinstances it is not tactically relevant, but only useful for usestrategically.

Wherefore it is an object of the present disclosure to overcome theabove-mentioned shortcomings and drawbacks associated with theconventional activity based intelligence (ABI).

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One aspect of the present disclosure is a space-based activity basedintelligence system, comprising: at least one constellation of low earthorbit satellites, wherein the satellites are connected via aninter-satellite crosslink network, the satellites comprise imaging,radio frequency (RF), and processing payloads; onboard processingalgorithms, including multiple intelligence (multi-INT) activity basedintelligence (ABI) algorithms that use machine learning to discoveranomalies in patterns of life and predict future events; and an onboardautonomous multi-vehicle mission control system; a ground based segmentcomprising a payload command and control module and a constellationcommand and control module; a payload specific user segment comprisinguser equipment; and a payload abstracted user segment comprisinginstruction for one or more mission applications, the space-basedactivity based intelligence system being in communication with acustomer network; the at least one constellation of low earth orbitsatellites being configured to process space-based multi-INT ABIremoving the latency of ground level processing, thereby providingreal-time actionable intelligence.

One embodiment of the space-based activity based intelligence system iswherein the at least one constellation of low earth orbit satellitescomprises a plurality of constellations of low earth orbit satellitesconfigured to provide additional functions such as communications,positioning, navigation and timing (PNT), electronic warfare, and cyber.

Another embodiment of the space-based activity based intelligence systemis wherein user equipment is a communication receiver located on a tank,a plane, or a ship that will use the information gathered by theconstellation of satellites using particular payload to take specificactions.

In certain embodiments of the space-based activity based intelligencesystem, the payload abstracted user segment communicates missionapplication information to the ground segment, which interprets theinformation and transfers the commands to the constellation commands. Insome embodiments, the payload command and control provides a missioninterface to the constellation payloads and the ground segmentcommunicates with the space segment via a space-to-ground communicationlink.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is a method of space-basedactivity based intelligence, comprising: connecting at least oneconstellation of low earth orbit satellites, via an inter-satellitecrosslink network, wherein the at least one constellation of low earthorbit satellites comprise an onboard autonomous multi-vehicle missioncontrol system and at least one on-board processor; communicatingmission application information to a ground segment, via a payloadabstracted user segment acting as command and control for each satellitein the at least one constellation of low earth orbit satellites;collecting data from a plurality of sensors present as payload on the atleast one constellation of low earth orbit satellites according to themission application information; processing multiple intelligence(multi-INT) activity based intelligence (ABI) algorithms with the datafrom the plurality of sensors via the at least one on-board processorusing machine learning to discover anomalies in patterns of life andpredict future events; and communicating output from the multi-INT ABIprocessing via a payload specific user segment for use in real-timeactionable intelligence activities.

One embodiment of the method of space-based activity based intelligenceis wherein the at least one constellation of low earth orbit satellitescomprises a plurality of constellations of low earth orbit satellitesconfigured to provide additional functions such as communications,positioning, navigation and timing (PNT), electronic warfare, and cyberapplications.

Another embodiment of the method of space-based activity basedintelligence is wherein user equipment comprises a communicationreceiver located on a tank, a plane, or a ship that will use theinformation gathered by the constellation of satellites using particularpayload to take specific actions.

These aspects of the disclosure are not meant to be exclusive and otherfeatures, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will bereadily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art when read inconjunction with the following description, appended claims, andaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of thedisclosure will be apparent from the following description of particularembodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings in which like reference characters refer to the same partsthroughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily toscale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles ofthe disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the system of the present disclosure witha collaborative multi-INT satellite constellation.

FIG. 2 shows a diagram of one embodiment of the system of the presentdisclosure with a collaborative multi-INT satellite constellation.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of one embodiment of the system of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of another embodiment of the system of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of one embodiment of a method according to theprinciples of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

One embodiment of the present disclosure is a space-based nationalsecurity system comprising a dense (>>200) constellation of low earthorbit (LEO) satellites that are connected via an inter-satellitecrosslink network. This solution has three primary components: 1)commoditized commercial satellite buses with customized, low-costimaging, radio frequency (RF), and processing payloads; 2) onboardprocessing algorithms, including multiple intelligence (multi-INT)activity based intelligence (ABI) algorithms that use machine learningto discover anomalies in patterns of life and predict future events; andan 3) onboard autonomous multi-vehicle mission control system.

The system of the present disclosure is affordable by incorporatingcommercial technology. A commodity satellite bus with industrial gradepayloads, combined with high volume assembly lines, brings the cost of asingle satellite to less than $3M. The collaborative system of multiplesatellites of the present disclosure generates actionable information innear-real time, which makes it a space-based tactical asset.

In one embodiment of the system of the present disclosure, all radiofrequency (RF) and image signal processing, as well as the multi-INT ABImachine learning and autonomous adaptive control are performed inreal-time. Multi-INT is the fusion of different types of data collection(e.g., from a multitude of different sensors) to provide a fulloperating picture for the warfighter. The architecture is scalable toother applications as well. Because the crosslink network providesprecision time synchronization, the constellation can host advancedcapabilities in communications, electronic warfare, positioning,navigation, timing, and other distributed techniques. In addition tonational security applications, the system of this disclosure can beused for detecting illegal fishing, monitoring border control, and othersimilar applications.

Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the system of the presentdisclosure with a collaborative multi-INT satellite constellation isshown. More specifically, an in-space signal processing and ABIinter-satellite cross-link 2 system converts multi-INT data from severaldifferent satellites to actionable intelligence. Real-time processing atthe sensor level keeps the process within an adversary's decision loop.In other words, rather than dealing with the latency of ground levelprocessing, decisions can be made very quickly while the data is fresh.In certain embodiments, the system comprises a scalable multi-INT smallsatellite constellation, which leverages high-volume commercialsatellite buses for a lower overall system cost. In this embodiment,multiple RF satellites (4, 4′, 4″) and multiple imaging satellites (6,6′) are present in the multi-INT collaborative constellation system. Inone embodiment, the satellites are in orbits 8 and the satellitepositions and clock offsets relative to each other are estimated in realtime using ranging and timing measurements embedded in theinter-satellite crosslink communication signals 2, enabling a precisioncommon coordinate system and time scale for fusing data collected byeach satellite.

Still referring to FIG. 1, a warfighter 10, or other user of thecollaborative, real-time data is able to receive the payload and ABIinformation from the system via some form of communication link 12including, but not limited, to optical or RF. An autonomous battlemanagement Command and Control (BMC2) 14 (ground and space) keeps thewarfighter 10 focused on information, not data. This ability to usespace-based intelligence in a tactical manner is a vast improvement overcurrent ground-based systems that may only be used strategically due totheir large increase in latency.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a customer (whethercommercial or military) creates ABI-based models and missionapplications. The constellation's command and control center 14 and/orthe warfighter 10, or other user, uplinks (12, 16) priorities to theconstellation for implementation. The satellites (4, 4′, 4″, 6, 6′)persistently monitor prioritized areas and signals of interest, whetherthey be ground-based (24, 26, 26′) or space-based (20, 22). In somecases, the satellites use EO and/or RF sensors to do so. On-board signalprocessing detects and attributes features from the EO and/or RF data(20, 22, 24, 26, 26′). Distributed on-board machine learning processesthe multi-INT features received via the inter-satellite crosslink anddiscovers anomalies in relationships and patterns. In some cases, thesystem autonomously readjusts its data collection posture as a result.The results (e.g. intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), oractivity based intelligence (ABI)) are downlinked (12, 16) to datamanagers 14 (e.g., command and control) and/or warfighters 10, or otherusers, for further action. In some embodiments, this system isexpandable for advanced coherent communications, electronic warfare(EW), and positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) and the like.

In some cases, the system can be used to monitor ships, trains, andother logistical systems. For example, features extracted from satelliteimaging payloads may be correlated with reference models to autonomouslydetect, identify, and characterize ships entering a port, and thensubsequently track those same ships as they leave port on their way totheir next destination. In addition, radio frequency emissions fromthose same ships may also be autonomously detected, identified,characterized, and geolocated by satellite RF receivers, and fused withthe corresponding imagery data to increase the level of confidence inthe ship association as well as the ship's pattern of life.

Referring to FIG. 2, a diagram of one embodiment of the system of thepresent disclosure with a collaborative multi-INT satelliteconstellation is shown. More specifically, the system comprises a spacesegment 30, a ground segment 40 and two user segments (48, 52). In someembodiments, the payload specific user segment 48 referes to awarfighter and the user equipment 50 might be located on a tank, aplane, or a ship that will use the specific information gathered by theconstellation of satellites using particular payload to take specificactions. In some embodiments, the payload abstracted user segment 52,refers to a customer network such as a commercial or a military customerthat develops or utilizes one or more mission applications 56. Forexample, a military customer might have an ISR, or EW mission, and acommercial customer might have a logistics mission such a tracking andmanaging the movement of goods.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the payload abstracted user segment 52communicates mission application information to a ground segment 40,which acts as command and control (C2) for the satellite buses. Withinthe ground segment 40 there is a constellation bus C2 44 and a payloadC2 42. The payload C2 provides the mission interface to theconstellation payloads. The ground segment 40 communicates with thespace segment 30 via a space-to-ground communication link. In some casesthis comprises of RF and or optical signals, or the like.

In another embodiment of the system of the present disclosure,calibration and efficient signal processing is used for converting rawsensor data into features for machine learning. In some cases, a <1 mresolution of structures and vehicles from imaging payloads and a <100 mRF emitter geolocation is possible by exploiting RF phase precision.

A space segment 30 comprises multiple satellites (32, 32′, 32″) to forma constellation of satellites. In some cases these are low earth orbit(LEO) satellites. Within each satellite there are generally twocomponents. The first component is a bus (34, 34′, 34″) and the secondcomponent is the payload(s) (36, 36′, 36″). The bus (34, 34′, 34″)generally comprises modules for one or more of the following power,thermal control, ground communication, attitude control,propulsion/orbit adjust, position and time, inter-satellite cross-link,command and data handling (C&DH), and the like. The payload (36, 36′,36″) comprises modules configured for one or more of the following typesof payloads: RF receivers for signals intelligence and similar missions;RF transmitters for PNT, EW, and similar missions; and RF transceiversfor communication and similar missions; electro-optical sensors forimaging intelligence; and multi-/hyper-spectral sensors for measurementand signatures intelligence. In some cases, the payloads directlyconnect to the user segment 18, such as for communications or PNTpayloads. Each of the satellites (32, 32′, 32″) communicate with eachother via an inter-satellite crosslink 38, which in some cases is RF oroptical, or the like.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, autonomous ABI processingfuses processed data from multiple sensor payloads across theconstellation to form high level actionable information. The low latencyin onboard processing allows for real time operations. Autonomousmulti-vehicle C2 is distributed across the constellation such that theconstellation is resilient to the loss of one or more satellites.

Sensor tasking optimization and/or prioritization across all users(e.g., 100's of space vehicles with potential for 1000's of users/tasks)is a feature of the system of the present disclosure. In some cases, themission application programming interface (API), which is a softwareintermediary that allows two applications to talk to each other,abstracts physical system configuration data from user mission data. Inone embodiment, coherent inter-satellite crosslink network for in-spaceanalytics is resilient to cyber-attacks. In some embodiments, multi-hopnetworking (C2 to all satellites when any single satellite is in view ofground station) provides for a robust and low-latency system.

Referring to FIG. 3, a diagrammatic view of one embodiment of the systemof the present disclosure is shown. More specifically, a multi-domaincommand and control (MDC2) is shown having at least a space component 60and a ground component (72, 90), where the different domains are incommunication with each other via Ground Control Stations (GCS) (70, 84,84′) or Tactical Data Links (TDL) 86, or the like. In one embodiment,the standard ground based system 90 comprises one or more ground-baseddata fusion centers. In the military context these may includeOperations Centers; Intelligence Information Centers; Defense Centers;or the like (A, B, C, D, E, . . . ).

One embodiment of a multi-INT ISR/ABI constellation 60 according to theprinciples of the present disclosure will work within an enterprisemessaging system to provide a low latency, real time space-basedsituational awareness (SSA) 62. Additionally, the constellation willenhance/augment the Space BMC2 66, Enhance the Combat Cloud 64, andenrich the Multi-INT data for use with mission application 68. Thesystem of the present disclosure will work with the Customer Network 88and will add a multi-vehicle mission control system (M2CS) 72 to theplatform which can implement one or more mission application 74.

Still referring to FIG. 3, a communications satellite 80 willcommunicate information to/from space craft 82, manned aircraft 76, UAV78, and the like as well as communication to ground-based operations viaGCS 84′. The constellation 60 will also communicate in real-time withthe payload specific user segment (e.g., 64, 76, 78) and the payloadabstracted user segment (e.g., 70, 72, 74) to provide low latencymulti-INT data for mission implementation.

The system of the present disclosure has continuous global coverage toaugment current space-based ISR systems and is compatible with plannedMDC2 architecture. In some embodiments, sensor data is converted toactionable information on-orbit for timely action. A robustinter-satellite crosslink enables ground access to the entireconstellation when only one satellite is in view of a GCS. In otherembodiments, a scalable constellation addresses immediate ISR needs 60(e.g., RF vs. imagery sensors). In some cases, there is a lower cost dueto the use of commercial off the shelf small satellites and also thisprovides for frequent technology refresh.

Referring to FIG. 4, a diagrammatic view of another embodiment of thesystem of the present disclosure is shown. More specifically, a phasedarray of satellites can be used for additional active and passivecapabilities. In some embodiments, the array can be above and/or belowthe constellation 60 used for ISR and/or ABI. In one embodiment,additional phased arrays may be used for one or more of the followingpurposes, electronic warfare (EW) 100 (e.g., RF, optical); cyber 102;high anti-jam (AJ) communications (Comm.) 104; AJ PNT 106; anddefensive/offensive space control, or the like. An excerpt of FIG. 3 isalso shown for context for how these various constellations, and orphased arrays are integrated into an expanded system. In someembodiments, the expanded system is focused on tracking targets 108, andin some cases the expanded system is focused on user information 110.

In certain embodiments of the system of the present disclosure, machinelearning is incorporated in to the robust system. Depending on theparticular application, there will be detection of patterns of life, orthe like, where depending on the detection of certain behavior an eventwill be instituted. For example, in a commercial application, thedetection that a rail car has arrived at a station would indicateloading or unloading of cargo.

Referring to FIG. 5, a flowchart of one embodiment of a method accordingto the principles of the present disclosure is shown. More specifically,a method of space-based activity based intelligence provides forreal-time actionable intelligence. In one embodiment, at least oneconstellation of low earth orbit satellites is connected, via aninter-satellite crosslink network, wherein the at least oneconstellation of low earth orbit satellites comprises an onboardautonomous multi-vehicle mission control system and at least oneon-board processor (120). Mission application information iscommunicated to a ground segment, via a payload abstracted user segmentproviding instructions for each satellite in the at least oneconstellation of low earth orbit satellites (122). Data is collectedfrom a plurality of sensors present as payload on the at least oneconstellation of low earth orbit satellites according to the missionapplication information (124). Multiple intelligence (multi-INT)activity based intelligence (ABI) algorithms with the data from theplurality of sensors are processed via the at least one on-boardprocessor using machine learning to discover anomalies in patterns oflife and predict future events (126). Output from the multi-INT ABIprocessing is communicated via a payload specific user segment for usein real-time actionable intelligence activities.

The computer readable medium as described herein can be a data storagedevice, or unit such as a magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, anoptical disk, or a flash drive. Further, it will be appreciated that theterm “memory” herein is intended to include various types of suitabledata storage media, whether permanent or temporary, such as transitoryelectronic memories, non-transitory computer-readable medium and/orcomputer-writable medium.

It will be appreciated from the above that the invention may beimplemented as computer software, which may be supplied on a storagemedium or via a transmission medium such as a local-area network or awide-area network, such as the Internet. It is to be further understoodthat, because some of the constituent system components and method stepsdepicted in the accompanying Figures can be implemented in software, theactual connections between the systems components (or the process steps)may differ depending upon the manner in which the present invention isprogrammed. Given the teachings of the present invention providedherein, one of ordinary skill in the related art will be able tocontemplate these and similar implementations or configurations of thepresent invention.

It is to be understood that the present invention can be implemented invarious forms of hardware, software, firmware, special purposeprocesses, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the presentinvention can be implemented in software as an application programtangible embodied on a computer readable program storage device. Theapplication program can be uploaded to, and executed by, a machinecomprising any suitable architecture.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been describedin detail, it is apparent that various modifications and alterations ofthose embodiments will occur to and be readily apparent to those skilledin the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that suchmodifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of thepresent invention, as set forth in the appended claims. Further, theinvention(s) described herein is capable of other embodiments and ofbeing practiced or of being carried out in various other related ways.In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyused herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regardedas limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having,” andvariations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listedthereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items whileonly the terms “consisting of” and “consisting only of” are to beconstrued in a limitative sense.

The foregoing description of the embodiments of the present disclosurehas been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. Itis not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure tothe precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations arepossible in light of this disclosure. It is intended that the scope ofthe present disclosure be limited not by this detailed description, butrather by the claims appended hereto.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it willbe understood that various modifications may be made without departingfrom the scope of the disclosure. Although operations are depicted inthe drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood asrequiring that such operations be performed in the particular ordershown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations beperformed, to achieve desirable results.

While the principles of the disclosure have been described herein, it isto be understood by those skilled in the art that this description ismade only by way of example and not as a limitation as to the scope ofthe disclosure. Other embodiments are contemplated within the scope ofthe present disclosure in addition to the exemplary embodiments shownand described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinaryskill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

What is claimed:
 1. A space-based activity based intelligence system,comprising: at least one constellation of low earth orbit satellites,wherein the satellites are connected via an inter-satellite crosslinknetwork, the satellites comprise constellation payloads comprising atleast one of imaging payloads, radio frequency (RF) payloads, andprocessing payloads; onboard processing algorithms, including multipleintelligence (multi-INT) activity based intelligence (ABI) algorithmsoperating on one or more processors that use machine learning todiscover anomalies in patterns of life and predict future events; and anonboard autonomous multi-vehicle mission control system; a ground basedsegment comprising a payload command and control module and aconstellation command and control module; a payload specific usersegment comprising user equipment; and a payload abstracted user segmentcomprising instruction for one or more mission applications, thespace-based activity based intelligence system being in communicationwith a customer network; the at least one constellation of low earthorbit satellites being configured to process the multi-INT ABIalgorithms removing a latency of ground level processing, therebyproviding real-time actionable intelligence.
 2. The space-based activitybased intelligence system according to claim 1, wherein the at least oneconstellation of low earth orbit satellites comprises a plurality ofconstellations of low earth orbit satellites configured to provideadditional functions such as communications, positioning, navigation andtiming (PNT), electronic warfare, and cyber.
 3. The space-based activitybased intelligence system according to claim 1, wherein the userequipment is a communication receiver located on a tank, a plane, or aship that will use information gathered by the constellation payloads ofto take specific actions.
 4. The space-based activity based intelligencesystem according to claim 1, wherein the payload abstracted user segmentcommunicates mission application information to the ground segment,which interprets the mission application information and transfers oneor more commands to the constellation command and control module.
 5. Thespace-based activity based intelligence system according to claim 1,wherein the payload command and control provides a mission interface tothe constellation payloads and the ground segment communicates with aspace segment via a space-to-ground communication link.
 6. A method ofspace-based activity based intelligence, comprising: connecting at leastone constellation of low earth orbit satellites, via an inter-satellitecrosslink network, wherein the at least one constellation of low earthorbit satellites comprise an onboard autonomous multi-vehicle missioncontrol system and at least one on-board processor; communicatingmission application information to a ground segment, via a payloadabstracted user segment acting as command and control for each satellitein the at least one constellation of low earth orbit satellites;collecting data from a plurality of sensors present as at least oneconstellation payload on the at least one constellation of low earthorbit satellites according to the mission application information;processing multiple intelligence (multi-INT) activity based intelligence(ABI) algorithms with the data from the plurality of sensors via the atleast one on-board processor using machine learning to discoveranomalies in patterns of life and predict future events; andcommunicating with the at least one constellation of low earth orbitsatellites an output from the multi-INT ABI processing via a payloadspecific user segment thereby removing a latency of ground levelprocessing for use in real-time actionable intelligence activities. 7.The method of space-based activity based intelligence according to claim6, wherein the at least one constellation of low earth orbit satellitescomprises a plurality of constellations of low earth orbit satellitesconfigured to provide additional functions such as communications,positioning, navigation and timing (PNT), electronic warfare, and cyberapplications.
 8. The method of space-based activity based intelligenceaccording to claim 6, wherein user equipment comprises a communicationreceiver located on a tank, a plane, or a ship that will use the missionapplication information gathered by the constellation payload to takespecific actions.